MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory illness which was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Experts from the MOH said that the people should not come into direct contact with MERS-CoV patients and should maintain personal, house and work place hygiene.

People going to or returning from countries which are reporting MERS-CoV infections must be isolated and preventive measure taken. If anyone shows symptoms of the infection, such as high temperature, coughing and difficulty in breathing, he or she should go to medical centres for treatment.

Medical workers must protect themselves while giving health checks and treatment to the patients to avoid getting infected and prevent hospital contamination.

By May 17, more than 530 people in 19 countries were reported to have had the MERS-CoV infection. Of these, 145 died, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s report.

The WHO said that more people will get infected in the coming days due to the volume of travel between different countries.

So far, WHO has not made any recommendations about enforcing special screening measures at border gates or travel restrictions to the affected countries.

Source: VNS